Signal device for serving trays



. Oct. 20, 1942. E. K. CARGILL 2,299,379

SIGNAL DEVICE FOR SERVING TRAYS Filed Sept. 12, 1941 A 7 l j a v I F Edda/"4X4 $14M 0 amxmq Patented Oct. 20, 1942 SIGNADDEYICE FOR; SEIWING: TBiAi Z Eflw imwKCargill, Macon, Ga.

Application September-12, 1941', Serial No. 410,643

1 mm, At the sp-called drive-in, parking and curbservice eating establishments; soda fountains and similar places, where the customer need; not leave his automobile or other conveyance in order to be waitedupon, but where attendants come to him to take his order and; when serving him, leave a tray which is usually supported upon thesill of a door window oruponthe side the h e. l ly it a in he. nes een usual for the customer to sound; his horn to, at-

act the notice fv a tte dan whe e. is.

dy to ave and desi ea o hav h tray re.- moved Ho eve a h s ho n so ndin p actice a e en y ome. o be. r garded, as om thin of. a uisan e; nd. rqu iszfcc s fics ablishments f kind mentioned; h crathci: gencrallx r quested that customers refrain from sounding their horns and have asked them, to flash their headlights instead;

This flashing headlight type of' signal is often not eifective due to congestion at such places, and it is apt to cause confusion and, possibly, accidents.

The object of the present invention is to provide a light signal device which will preferably be furnished in combination with a service tray of the type mentioned, this signal device being brought to the customer with the tray bearing his order and being so disposed when the tray is in serving position that it will project to an elevation sufficient for its light to be seen easily from a distance and readily located even when parking is congested.

To this end the invention contemplates a signal device for serving trays, comprising a standard or shaft carrying at one end an incandescent or other electric lamp and at its other end a source of electrical energy, preferably a dry battery, the battery and lamp being electrically connected in any suitable manner as, for example, in the manner of the well known portable battery flashlight, with the interposition of a switch for operation by the customer at will, the tray having means which serve the combined function of a tray handle and a socket for holding the signal device in erect signalling position, all as will be explained hereinafter more fully and finally claimed.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention, in the several figures of which like parts are similarly designated:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the signal device proper and tray of the invention in serving position upon the door window sill of an automobile.

Fig.- 3 is' a side elevation of thesignal deviceproper removed from the-stray, and

Fig. 4 isa plan view ofthe-tray illustrating, particularly, the means which serve as a combined handle and supporting. socket: ion the signal device proper.

The: signal device proper, and also the tray, may take a variety of ornamental: forms, conventionalized forms thereof being illustrated in the drawing, wherein the signal 'd'evi'ce propercomprisespreferably a tubular standard or shaft I having at one end; its upper end, a lamp socket 2- carrying an-electriclamp3 and ashield ing cage 4-, and its lower end? being joined to a battery case 5 which may be separable insomeappropriate-manner, not shown toreceive-a dry batteryor otherappropriate current source.

Suitable electrical connections not shown, are provided between the battery and the lamp- 3, and a switch 6 is interposed therein for enabling the lamp to be turned on and off. When the standard I and battery case 5 are made of metal, the electrical connections may be substantially the same as those employed in the common battery flashlight, as hereinbefore mentioned, the battery, lamp and switch each having a terminal grounded upon the standard and case, and their other termi'nals being connected to a wire, strip or other suitable conductor insulated from the standard and case. These wiring details being conventional and forming no part of the invention, per se, have not been illustrated.

The tray I is, broadly considered, of conventional form, and is provided with the usual lip member 8 and strut 9 for anchoring it in position upon the sill, the strut having the customary buffer strip I0 to prevent damage to the finish of the automobile.

As a novel adjunct for use in connection, and combination, with the light signal proper, the tray is furnished with an offstanding rigid ring member II which has the combined function of serving as a convenient handle for the tray and as a socket to receive the battery case 5 of the signal device, the battery case being provided with a cooperating bead I2 or the like preferably annular projection to limit its insertion in the member II and to hold it and the standard I erect and in signalling position. The member I I may take a variety of forms so long as it serves its function as a handle and is capable of properly supporting the signal device proper.

As has hereinbefore been intimated, the shaft or standard I is of such length, preferably, that when in use, as shown in Fig. 1, it will project above the top of the automobile, and thus the lamp 3, when lighted, will be visible at a considerable distance to attract the notice of attendants.

The operation of the device in use will, it is believed, he understood from the foregoing, but it is to be noted that the signal device proper is not permanently attached to the tray and hence will notinterfere with handling of the tray in the kitchen, at the service counter, or in the scullery. However, the cooperative function of the member II as a handle for the tray and a support for the signal device proper produces a combination which enhances the attractiveness and usefulness of the invention.

Various changes and modifications are considered to be within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the following claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a signal device for service trays customarily supported upon the sides of automobile bodies, a standard carrying light signal means, the tray being provided with a member shaped to provide a tray handle and furnishing socket means acting as a support for detachably mounting said standard.

2. In a signal device for service trays customarily supported upon the sides of automobile bodies and the like, a standardhaving at one end a lamp and at the other end a casing providing a container for a source of energy for said lamp, and manually operable switch means interposed between said source and lamp, the service tray being provided with an offstanding member shaped to furnish a tray handle and to act as a socket support for detachably mounting said lamp standard and casing, said casing being provided with means for properly locating it with respect to said member.

- projecting means to limit such insertion and to 3. In a signal device for service trays customarily supported upon the sides of automobile bodies and the like, a standard having at one end a lamp and at the other end a casing providing a container for a source of energy for said lamp, and manually operable switch means interposed between said source and lamp, the service tray being provided with an offstanding' ring-shaped member furnishing a tray handle and a support for detachably mounting said lamp standard and casing, said casing being insertible and removable with respect to said ring-shaped member and being provided with bear'against said member.

4.,In a signal device for service trays customarily supported upon the sides of automobile bodies and the like, a standard having at one end a lamp and at the other end a casing providing a container for a source of energy for said lamp, and manually operable switch means interposed between said source and lamp, the service tray being provided with an ofistanding member furnishing a tray handle and a support for detachably mounting said lamp standard and easing, said member formed to embrace said casing.

5. In a signal device for service trays customarily supported upon the sides of automobile bodies and the like, a standard having at one end, a lamp and at the other end a casing providing a container for a source of energy for said lamp, and manually operable switch means;

interposed between said source and lamp, the

service tray being provided with an offstanding member furnishing a tray handle and a support for detachably mounting said'lamp standard and casing, said member formed to embrace said casing and said casing provided with means 40 furnishing a support for it upon said member.

- EDWARD K. CARGILL. 

